What Kind of Christian Am I?

I’m sometimes discouraged by all of the labels we put onto the various kinds of Christians. Those labels can be useful, but they usually don’t tell the whole story. I find it hard to categorize myself.

I’m orthodox. I believe in the doctrine of the Trinity. I believe in salvation through Jesus. I believe in the Bible. I believe in the (so-called) Apostles’ Creed.

I’m evangelical. I believe God has spoken to us through Jesus and has offered us eternal life through trusting in Jesus and in his death and resurrection. I believe we need to proclaim that message throughout the world.

I’m charismatic. I believe spiritual gifts such as healings and prophecies and speaking in tongues didn’t all cease in the 100’s AD. (I also believe that much of the modern charismatic/Pentecostal movement is off-base, chasing after experiences and measuring all things by experiences.)

I’m catholic. I believe I’m a part of the Lord’s universal church, not just a part of my local church. (I’m not a Roman Catholic.)

I’m reformed. I believe the true gospel is a message of God’s grace, of Jesus Christ, and of faith in him. I believe in the depravity of people, in the Lord’s gracious choice of people to be saved, in the Lord’s death for his own (but also, in some way, for all), in the Lord’s power to draw us to himself, and that those who are really the Lord’s children will ultimately follow and know him.

I’m dispensational. I believe in interpreting the Bible literally. I believe the Lord has not abandoned the nation of Israel. I believe the Lord has dealt with people in different ways in different ages, but that people in all ages have been saved only through trusting in what he graciously provides.

I’m Lutheran, sort of. I believe that in the Lord’s Supper, the Lord is truly and mysteriously present with us, even while the bread and wine are also still bread and wine.

I’m Baptist also. I believe the best method of baptism is dipping (immersion). I see little point in baptizing those who do not yet believe.

I’m independent in that I believe that while I’m to submit to my pastors and elders, I’m even more responsible to the Lord. Thus, I sometimes come to conclusions that don’t fit most people’s theological grids. (I struggle with how to reconcile submission to my pastors and submission to what I believe is truth they are missing. I realize that my own understanding is not immune from error.)

I’m liberal. I believe there are true Christians in a wide variety of churches, and I believe the Lord is pleased by worship in many different cultures, so long as it’s worship in Spirit and in truth.

I’m conservative. I believe the scriptures, as originally written, were without error. I believe that the Lord has preserved them sufficiently and remarkably, so that in them we find a trustworthy revelation of him and of the way to life.

I’m fundamental. I believe in the virgin birth, the resurrection, the miracles of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the return of Jesus Christ. I believe there are such things as heresy and apostasy. I believe it is not good to place ourselves under the authority of people who are heretics or apostates. Such people should be judged by the church; they will be judged by the Lord.

I’m high-church. I love worshiping with an organ and grand old hymns. I enjoy poetry and liturgy.

I’m low-church. I love informal worship with fresh choruses and spontaneity and uplifted hands.

So, what kind of Christian am I? I guess I’ll let others decide. The most important thing isn’t which category I fit in, nor whether it’s logically consistent to believe everything I believe, nor whether all of what I believe is correct. The important thing is whether I’m really a Christian by faith, and whether I’m obeying the Lord and growing in him and loving him and serving him and serving others in his name.

I hope you'll agree, though I realize that you may not. If you disagree, pray for me and then tell me why you disagree. I'm also praying for you, whoever you are, as I write this.

Now, a final note: I don't believe I need to convince you to agree with me in all of what I've written here. Eternal life and salvation are available to you through Jesus; the Lord's wrath is on all who reject him. You don't need to come to me. Come to him.